Pokhara Kaski: Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NEFIN) Climate Change Partnership Program organized a National Level Training-Workshop on Climate Change and Indigenous Peoples from December 26–28, 2023, in Pokhara. The main objective of the event was to enhance awareness of Indigenous Peoples on climate change, national and international climate policies, and strengthen their contribution and participation in climate actions.

A total of 51 Indigenous participants (29 men and 22 women) representing different Indigenous Nationalities and NEFIN’ network including its Province Coordination Council (PCC), District Coordination Council (DCC), Secretariat of the Federal Council of NEFIN, member organizations/Indigenous Peoples Organizations, affiliated organizations such as Federation of Indigenous Nationalities Journalist (FONIJ), Youth Federation of  Indigenous Nationalities (YFIN), and the leaders of customary institution of Tharu Indigenous Nationality actively engaged in the event.

Various resource persons, Tunga Rai, Dhanman Gurung, Tsering Wangmo Gurung, representatives from REDD Implementation Centre, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC) shared updates and overview on different topics. The event sessions covered topic such as indications, causes and impacts of climate change, national and international context of climate actions, overview of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and Conference of Parties (COP) decisions, key elements of the UNFCCC Paris Agreement (preamble, objective, mitigation, adaptation, loss and damage and means of implementations etc). They also shared key aspects of Nepal’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC)-2020, COP28 outcomes, REDD+ in Nepal, Green Climate Fund (GCF) and GCF Indigenous Peoples Policy. Furthermore, lifeways, worldviews, food systems of Indigenous Peoples, connection with their land and territories were brought into discussion in light of multi-dimension of climate actions and its impact.

Video documentaries, power points slide, social media platforms, quiz, and related pictures were presented during the workshop. In order to keep sessions interesting, several entertaining activities, brainstorming games and group activities were introduced in between sessions. The key observations of the workshop were an optimal level of engagement of Indigenous Peoples, with a broadened understanding of climate change and a strong desire to learn more. The participants recommended continuation of such training-workshops for Indigenous Peoples to be able to contribute effectively in climate action formulations and its implementation. They also stressed the necessity of such initiatives to reach to the local level.